Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-17

and stronger prices. The stock of hog
products and provisions has largely fall
len off in western markets. In hams the
falling off within twelve months has been
in the ratios of 80 to "a; shoulders IA to
s; bacon A to 80. Increasing requires
ments for provisions in nearly all mar
kets are having the effect of strengthen
Jag prices. The eastern markets will
stand the increase easily.
The prospects are favorable for a
heavy increase IN farming and cotton
planting operations next year. Large
areas will be cultivated under the direc-
ton of eastern capitalists who have made
extensive purchases of agricultural lands
in the west during the pust year
The industrial condition throughout
the country is even more encouraging
than few weeks ago in this, that the
influx of orders for all kinds of material
continues, and prices show stronger
upward tendency. There is danger If
prices advance much beyond their pres
ent limits. Lumber dealers are we'll sup
piled with stock. but are holding for very
high figures Building material men
are Fastening forward supplies for
spring operations The building season
win open as early as the weather viii
permit, and as there are indications that
no labor troubles will arise, great activity
is expected, and operations will be
crowded on large scale, both in house.
mill and ship building.
Jobbers in all leading lines report lit
tie falling off in activity during the past
ten DAYS. Bank eiearings for the past
week foot up 81 .035, 900. 900 which shows
a gain of 80 per cent over The preceding
week. The money markets are easy all
over the country. Over two million in
gold was received from Europe last week.
The report of earnings of thirty>two rail
WAYS for las. year show a gain of 6 per
cent. over the same time in 1885
All of the foreign markets continue to
show great activity. A conservative
feeling is likely to develop itself on ac-
count of the strong prices on both sides
of the water.
In New York city 4097 houses were
erected in 1886 at a cost OF S5S,0J0,0O0
against 1870 houses for 1885 at cost of
$40, 100000 All other large cities show
large increase and there is not the
slightest doubt but that this &C ivity will
continue all through 1887.
Confidence is expressedlbetweeu the boot
and shoe manufacturers that 1887 will be
q more active year than 1886 because
prices considering the cost of leather are
extremely low. All are waiting for an
upward turn. Leather has been rather
scarce and firm on account of restricted
production. Numerous strikes have help
ed also to curtail the output at tanneries
and shoe factories.
The value of the leaf tobacco crop in
the United States has varied from $50,
000,00 to S44, 000,000 per year during
the past six years, The heavy produc-
ton of the lower grades of tobacco leaf
are discouraging further production be-
cause Of the low prices realized.
The Anthracite coal trade is extremely
active and the large producing companies
are nearly out Of stocks. The OUTPUT
during the year was 4 little under 32,
!, 900 900 tons and the region could pro
duce Al, 600 000 tons if there was a de-
mand for it.
A multitude of little industries ar,
springing up ia the far west, because o.
, the rapid extension of railroads 10 that
region. House and shop and factory
building are springing up in the track Of
railroads, and agriculture is helping t
sustain an improving demand for a grea
variety of products on which the freigh
l. n
mills.
Upward d 200 new mines have beer
opened in the western states for Goa
mainly, and this has made b1sines
among the machinery and wire>rop'
and other manufactures The railroads
are of course the chief buyers.
The wood working machinery maker
have turned out or have on hand grea
: Many orders, enough, they say, to fur
nish employment next season to at leas
10000 men. The mechanics in th
r branch in several western towns ar
! organizing for more wages.
1 A man OF national reputation and dee
sympathy says this concerning labor
The past wear ends a period pregnan
with great results for the producer, an
, this wear will be fruitful of results c
\ great Importance to capital ana labor
There will be disturbances and strikes /
the labor field this year that will crippl
and not benefit the workmen. Their
, must be an amicable settlement, an
harmony must exist before they can hop
to find the prosperity they ask and seet
Another says 1t has long been m
opinion that too many-the great major
ity of labor leaders-only SOW strii
between capital and labor in cunnin
way without seeking to adjust troubles
{ There never will be peace until someou
with common sense takes the position {
:. arbitrator. 1t must be one who hs
earned wages and paid out wages, an
lwho perfectly understands both positions
: believe the tine will come when ii
laws of each state will govern what wi
J be a Just compensation for a certai
amount of labor, as well as the hours
labor
!, The workmen will oppose the bill no
q before congress to naiIonalize the sta
militia by expending money to employ
. TO watch organized labor In strikes.
/. The New York federation of bool
u keepers and clerks is a formidable orga
!! ization. and it is likely to be extended
II other cities.
: The car and locomotive works q
i everywhere picking up fresh bushes
' Three car works have recently burn,
down, having large contracts on hand.
A dozen syndicales of capitalists a
bidding against each other for exec,
:, tionally advantageous msnufacturi
d sites in the southern states.
The rapid growth of southern man
il featuring cities Is drawing more mocha
10 les every month. Southern trade
ic booming, and daily newspapers are g
ing up good deal of their space TO !
cording the progress of industrial acti